GAR Minister pledges to strengthen sub-district structures
The newly appointed Greater Accra Regional Minister, Ms Linda Ocloo, has pledged to work tirelessly to improve governance, sanitation, security, and economic development in the region.
She made this commitment during an interaction with the management of the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council (GARCC) on her first day in office.
She emphasised that her tenure would focus on implementing the President’s vision of resetting the nation and building a stable, inclusive, and prosperous Ghana.
She stressed the need to strengthen local governance, promising to work closely with traditional leaders, religious organisations, and other stakeholders to enhance participatory governance.
She assured Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) of support to improve revenue generation and strengthen sub-district structures, such as zonal and area councils.
To ensure effective governance, she announced plans for quarterly monitoring exercises and technical support for MMDAs.
Ms Ocloo outlined sanitation and waste management as a key priority and revealed plans to implement a comprehensive waste management policy under the National Democratic Congress’ “Clean Up Ghana” initiative.
This, she said, would involve promoting waste segregation, providing garbage bins in public spaces, and strengthening the sanitation departments of MMDAs to improve efficiency.
She announced that one of the key performance indicators for Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) would be their effectiveness in managing sanitation and waste.
To encourage public participation in sanitation efforts, she announced the reintroduction of the National Sanitation Day and the Cleanest City Award.
“A special Regional Sanitation Day will be held on the last Friday of every month to promote a cleaner environment and I ensure the enforcement of the National Sanitation Policy by supporting MMDAs to implement sustainable waste management strategies,” she explained.
Additionally, social and behavioural change campaigns will be intensified to educate the public on proper sanitation practices.
On security and public safety, she vowed to work closely with security agencies to maintain peace and order in the region.
She promised to intensify the provision and replacement of streetlights to enhance visibility, reduce crime, and improve road safety.
The minister also highlighted economic development as a key focus, and intended to collaborate with MMDCEs to boost local economic development, with an emphasis on supporting women entrepreneurs through the Women’s Bank.
Moreover, she also plans to facilitate trade fairs in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Ghana Tourism Authority, Ministry of Trade, and Ghana Enterprise Agency to promote local industries.
Ms Ocloo called for teamwork and dedication, stating that the people of Greater Accra deserve a cleaner, safer, and more prosperous region.
BY AGNES OPOKU SARPONG
